Gu Yu zigzagged through the gloomy mountain tracks in the desolation of this moonlit night. Above his head, the moon hung as clear and bright as a suspending mirror.
He walked at a brisk pace, landing his feet on the thawing ground, grass, and stones, his figure melting into the moonlight like an elongated, carefree, and dancing shadow.
Walking out of the black thorny forest, he reached the small river and was welcomed by three dots of light. In the dark night, they reminded him of lonely and still specters.
They were the result of Xiaozhai's twisted sense of humor. She went all the way to purchase three red lanterns, hanging one on the old tree and the other two at the courtyard gate. With the long and thick candles inside, they would burn throughout the night.
